Trace-supporter.



Patented Sept. 13,1910.

n N. W

W/T/VESSES:

ATTORNEYS GUY D. HOLM, OF BRADY, NEBRASKA.

TRACE-SUPPORTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 13, 1910.

Application filed April 9, 1910. Serial No. 554,361.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUY D. Homr, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brady, in the county of Lincoln and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and Improved Trace-Supporter, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention is an improvement in trace supporters, such a supporter as is made a art of the ring or loop of the harness to which the back, crupper and hip straps are connected, and serving to carry the free ends of the traces when the latter are detached from the tree of the vehicle, either when the harness is applied or removed from the horse.

The invention has in view a trace sup porter or carrier of this character, which can be produced inexpensively from a single length of wire and present a neat and serviceable device for the purpose, and from which the traces cannot be accidentally disengaged, yet easily applied and removed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating my improved trace supporter in its preferred form and showing one of the traces engaged; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the supporter detached from the harness straps.

The supporter comprises a ring or loop 5, made of a single length of wire, which is preferably of tempered steel. The loop is shaped in the form of a cross, forming the outer offset crupper, hip and back strap pivots or cross-bars, 6, 7, 7 and 8, respectively, the ends of the wire forming the loop lapping along the length of and forming one of the aforesaid bars, preferably the crupper bar, as shown. The ends of the wire are turned upwardly and inwardly at the opposite sides of this bar to form trace hooks 9. the ends of the hooks lapping each other a substantial distance and offset at their points, as indicated at 10, so that the trace 11 can be easily engaged and disengaged, the application and removal of the trace causing the lapping ends of the hooks to be sprung apart, the hooks afterward recovering their normal positions by reason of the resiliency of the spring wire of which the supporter is made. The hooks when thus produced, form in connection with each other a vertical loop and prevent the accidental disengagement of the traces, yet permit of the same being connected and disconnected with facility, one hook serving as a guard for the opposite hook.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A wire loop having crupper, hip and back strap pivot bars, the bars outwardly offset from the body of the loop, with the ends of the wire formin the loop lapping along the length of and forming one of the bars and turned upwardly and inwardly at the opposite sides thereof to form trace hooks.

2. A wire loop having crupper, hip and back strap connecting portions, with the ends of the wire forming the loop, lapped and bent to form oppositely-turned trace hooks, with the end portions of the hooks brought together.

3. A wire loop having crupper, hip and back strap connecting portions, with the ends of the wire forming the loop lap ing along the length of and forming one o the said portions, and turned upwardly and inwardly at the opposite sides thereof to form trace hooks, with the end portions of the hooks lapping each other.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GUY D. HOLM.

WVitnesses:

Geo. L. SWANCUTT, ERIC A. NELSON- 

